What are the responsibilities and job description for the Data Governance Specialist position at Building Service 32BJ Benefit Funds?
Summary: The Data Governance Specialist plays a critical role in supporting effective management, integrity, and security of the Funds’ data assets through the implementation and maintenance of the Alation data governance platform. This role focuses on maintaining the data catalog, managing metadata documentation, and ensuring workflows and data connectors are functional and efficient.
The Specialist collaborates with stakeholders to identify and prioritize data governance needs, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and regulatory standards. They assist in enforcing data policies, creating standardized processes and templates, and supporting training initiatives to enhance data literacy and promote data stewardship.
In addition, the Specialist monitors and reports on key performance indicators (KPIs) and governance metrics to track adoption, maturity, and continuous improvement in data governance practices. This role is ideal for candidates eager to contribute to building a scalable and efficient data governance framework.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Collaborate closely with data stewards, IT teams, and business stakeholders to identify and prioritize data governance needs. Act as a liaison to communicate data governance standards and ensure alignment across the Funds’.
- Data Catalog Implementation and Maintenance: Manage and maintain the Alation data catalog, ensuring metadata accuracy, lineage documentation, and classification standards are upheld. Support the onboarding and integration of new data assets as additional business areas adopt the platform.
- Governance Policies and Standards: Assist in implementing data governance frameworks to ensure data privacy, security, and compliance with organizational and regulatory standards (e.g., HIPAA). Collaborate with data stewards and stakeholders to enforce governance policies and standards. Develop and maintain a playbook with standardized processes, tools, and templates for data governance activities.
- Reporting and Tracking: Develop and deliver dashboards and reports to monitor data governance metrics, including catalog adoption, activity, and compliance. Provide actionable insights to stakeholders through data-driven visualizations and reporting tools.
- Training and Awareness: Assist in planning and delivering training on Alation functionality and data governance principles. Lead awareness campaigns to enhance data literacy, promote a culture of data stewardship, and foster data democratization.
- Continuous Improvement: Identify and recommend enhancements to the Alation platform and governance processes to improve usability and efficiency. Stay informed on industry trends and best practices in data governance and data cataloging.
- General Responsibilities: Perform additional tasks as assigned by management or supervisory staff. Occasionally provide support outside of regular working hours as required.
Qualifications: The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
- 3 years of professional experience in data governance, data cataloging, or data management roles, preferably with a focus on healthcare.
- Hands-on experience with governance tools such as Alation, Informatica, or Collibra; including familiarity with metadata management, discovery, and data lineage solutions.
- Familiarity with data governance frameworks (e.g., DAMA DMBOK, DCAM).
- Understanding of data privacy laws, regulatory frameworks, and security principles.
- Technical Skills:
- Proficiency in SQL or Python, and a familiarity with data visualization such as PowerBI or Qlik.
- Experience with Microsoft environments and hybrid data ecosystems (cloud, dataverse, on-prem).
- PMP certification or equivalent project management credential is strongly preferred.
Interpersonal Skills:
- Strong communication and presentation skills, capable of bridging technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Highly detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Self-starter with excellent project management skills, capable of working cross-functionally, influencing without direct authority, and solving problems to mitigate risks and ensure successful project outcomes.
Education and/or Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Management, Data Science or a related discipline. Master’s degree in a related discipline preferred.
Language Skills: Speak, read, write, and understand English.
Reasoning Ability: High
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
- Relevant certifications such as Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP), Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/US), Certified Information Privacy Technologists (CIPT/US), or Alation training, are highly preferred.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.
- Under 1/3 of the time: Standing, Walking, Climbing or Balancing, Stooping, Kneeling, Crouching, or Crawling
- 1/2 to 2/3 of the time: Sitting, Reaching with Hands & Arms
- Over 2/3 of the time: Talking or Hearing
- 100% of the time: Using Hands
Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- 1/3 to 2/3 of the time: Work near moving or mechanical parts, exposure to radiation, moderate noise.
Salary : $105,000 - $120,000
